Apology starts healing process

McGuinty speaks with George's brother; former premier Harris praises report for `absolving me'

Jun 01, 2007
Robert Benzie
Rob Ferguson
Queen's Park Bureau
Toronto Star

The healing began with a 10-minute phone call from Premier Dalton McGuinty to the brother of slain protester Dudley George.

"On behalf of the people of Ontario, we apologize for the events that led to the loss of life," McGuinty told Sam George at 12:40 p.m., less than three hours after Justice Sidney Linden's four-volume report was released.

"We deeply regret the death of Dudley George. This report and the implementation of its recommendations will serve as a testament to his memory," the premier said.

But McGuinty later told the Legislature that it was not his intent yesterday to discuss how to enact Linden's many findings.

"This report ... speaks to something profound – even historic. This day, let us resolve to be strong by moving forward together. Let us heal the wounds of the past and build a brighter future."

However, the natural resources minister, whose responsibilities include aboriginal affairs, said he supports Linden's recommendation that the province establish a separate ministry for native affairs.

"I think aboriginal people want to see their interest represented by a minister who runs a full ministry," said David Ramsay, who is setting up a "response team" of three or four staff to deal with the Ipperwash report in consultation with aboriginal leaders and the federal government.

The inquiry cost $25.7 million, mostly in legal fees. The province's budget for aboriginal affairs this year is $28 million.

Former Progressive Conservative premier Mike Harris hailed Linden's report for "completely absolving me and my government of these malicious and petty political allegations" that the Tories ordered the OPP to storm the park and evict the native protesters.

While Linden concluded Harris did say "I want the f---ing Indians out of the park," the judge found the remark, which he considers racist, did not have any influence on the OPP's actions the night George was killed.

"I am pleased that 12 years' worth of false and politically motivated accusations were rejected by Mr. Justice Linden in his report," Harris, who retired from politics in 2002, said in a statement.

"That shows that Mr. Harris has been cleared of charges made by politicians for many years, including by Premier McGuinty when this inquiry was ongoing," Harris lawyer Peter Downard said in Forest, Ont. Former natural resources minister Chris Hodgson disputed findings in the report that he made the comment "Get the f---ing Indians out of my park" during a meeting to discuss the occupation of Ipperwash.

"I feel comfortable at night knowing I told the truth," said Hodgson, who applauded Linden's recommendations to improve relations with aboriginal people.

Progressive Conservative Leader John Tory did not attend question period yesterday and wasn't available for interviews.

In a statement read in the Legislature by MPP Christine Elliott (Whitby-Ajax), Tory said he supported the Liberals' "apology on behalf of the government and people of Ontario."

"I hope that both that apology and the release of this report will bring a measure of closure to Dudley George's family," he said.

NDP Leader Howard Hampton said: "The inquiry's final report reveals the profound failings of both the provincial and federal government as well as the Ontario Provincial Police."